Single transfer insert placement method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/070,879, filed 21 Feb. 2008, and entitled“Single Transfer Insert Placement Method and Apparatus,” which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/902,477,filed 21 Feb. 2007, and entitled “Single Transfer Insert PlacementMethod and Apparatus.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for receiving andcutting a continuous web, and transferring articles, or inserts, such asabsorbent pads cut from the web in the manufacture of disposableabsorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence control garments orfemale sanitary pads as they advance along a production line.

In the production and manufacture of disposable products such assanitary napkins or pants-type diapers, it frequently becomes necessaryto manufacture a component of the product in one orientation, and thento spin that component part to a predetermined angle, which is suitablyoriented for use in another step in the production process. Variousdevices have been developed for this purpose and are known to thoseexperienced in the industry. Examples of such apparatus are thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,726,876, 4,880,102, and 5,025,910.

As mentioned above, a typical article or web to be reoriented by theapparatus of this invention is an absorbent pad. Past devices normallycut a received web to form the pad prior to placement on a transfermechanism. Cutting the web to form the pad prior to placement on thetransfer mechanism requires a separate step between the cutting processand transfer process. Therefore, it is desirable to have an apparatusfor receiving a continuous web onto a transfer mechanism prior tocutting the web into discrete pads, cutting a section from the webthereby forming a pad, spinning the pad to a predetermined angle, andtransferring the pad for placement on a receiving surface, therebyeliminating the requirement of a separate transfer step between thecutting and transferring step.

In addition to requiring spin, the web may be provided at one velocityand a pad may be cut from the web at a cut pitch. However, the cut pitchis likely a different spacing interval than the desired placement pitchon a receiving surface. In the case of a diaper, for example, the padmay be an absorbent insert to be placed on a fluid impervious chassis.Therefore, the web may be cut at a cut pitch, X, and the receivingpitch, or distance between consecutive chasses at the receiving surfacemay be represented as Y, where Y is comprised of a chassis trailingedge, an interval space, and a subsequent chassis leading edge.Therefore, it is desirable to compensate for the difference between thecut pitch, X, and the receive pitch, Y. Re-pitching is known in the art,but prior art device techniques tend to cause excessive wear on thedevices due to the momentum changes that are required.

Hence, the art would benefit from an apparatus which is capable ofreceiving a continuous web at one velocity and cutting a section fromthe web at a first pitch to create a pad, which is transferred, orientedand properly spaced to a desired receiving pitch for placement on areceiving surface, while at the same time reducing wear on the devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided arean apparatus and a method for receiving a continuous web, separating asection from the web thereby forming a pad, spinning the pad to apredetermined angle, and changing the spacing between neighboring padswhile transferring the pad to a receiving surface.

An embodiment of a single transfer placement method according to thepresent invention includes the following steps:

-   -   1. Receiving a continuous web.    -   2. Cutting a discrete section from the continuous web, thereby        forming a pad, wherein the pad is supported by a first surface;        and    -   3. Transporting the pad on the first surface to a receiving        surface.

Additionally the transporting step may incorporate the following steps:

-   -   1. Spinning the first surface to a predetermined angle; and    -   2. Changing the speed of the first surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a system accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1,eliminating components that would otherwise obstruct the desired view,namely multiple pucks and anvil roll.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, eliminatingcomponents that would otherwise obstruct the desired view, namelymultiple pucks.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a stationary vacuum manifold androtating vacuum manifold utilized by the embodiment FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternate stationary vacuummanifold.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation schematic representation of a firstpreferred velocity profile of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a graph view of the preferred velocity profile of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation schematic representation of puck positionchanging relative to a major axis of rotation, the puck following thevelocity profile of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a firstposition, eliminating some detail to better illustrate functionality.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a secondposition, eliminating some detail to better illustrate functionality.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a thirdposition, eliminating some detail to better illustrate functionality.

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in afourth position, eliminating some detail to better illustratefunctionality.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a fifthposition, eliminating some detail to better illustrate functionality.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a sixthposition, eliminating some detail to better illustrate functionality.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in aseventh position, eliminating some detail to better illustratefunctionality.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in aneighth position, eliminating some detail to better illustratefunctionality.

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of a preferred cam plate according tothe present invention.

FIG. 17A is a right side elevation partial cutaway view of a systemaccording to the present invention using a first cam profile of the camplate of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17B is a right side elevation partial cutaway view of a systemaccording to the present invention using a second cam profile of the camplate of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a preferred pitch cam followercartridge.

FIG. 18B is a perspective partial assembly view of a preferred pitch camfollower cartridge being installed on a preferred puck wheel.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a preferred method of rotating a vacuummanifold.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a preferred puck support according tothe present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a first preferred puck according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a second preferred puck according tothe present invention.

FIG. 22B is a side elevation view of the puck of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23 is a cross-section view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a systemaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 24,eliminating components that would otherwise obstruct the desired view,namely multiple pucks and anvil roll.

FIG. 26 is a front elevation schematic representation of a secondpreferred velocity profile of an apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 27 is a graph view of the preferred velocity profile of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a front elevation schematic representation of puck positionchanging relative to a major axis of rotation, the puck following thevelocity profile of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a front elevation schematic representation of a thirdpreferred velocity profile of an apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 30 is a graph view of the preferred velocity profile of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a front elevation schematic representation of puck positionchanging relative to a major axis of rotation, the puck following thevelocity profile of FIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodimentsherein disclosed merely exemplify the invention, which may be embodiedin other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has beendescribed, the details may be changed without departing from theinvention, which is defined by the claims.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation viewof a first embodiment 1 of an apparatus according to the presentinvention. The apparatus 1 preferably includes a transfer mechanism 3and a cutter 5.

Referring, in addition to FIG. 1, to FIGS. 2 and 3, the transfermechanism 3 includes a plurality of pucks 301. Each puck 301 has aleading edge 302 and a trailing edge 304 and is coupled to a pucksupport 303, which is ultimately rotated by a puck wheel 305 about apuck transfer axis 306, which is a major axis of rotation, through atransfer path 4. As used throughout the description of the preferredembodiment, “rotate” and its variants refer to the movement of an entirepuck 301 and puck support 303 assembly about the transfer axis 306,while “spin” and its variants refer to the radial spin of a puck 301about a puck spin axis 312, which is substantially perpendicular to thepuck transfer axis 306. The puck wheel 305 is driven preferably by asubstantially operationally constant rotational force provided by ashaft 314 coupled to a motor 307.

The puck support 303 is coupled to the puck wheel 305 by a primary pitchlinkage 310 and a secondary pitch linkage 311. The primary pitch linkage310 preferably includes three attachment points; a puck wheel anchor313, a pitch cam follower anchor 315, and a secondary linkage anchor317. The puck wheel anchor 313 couples the primary pitch linkage 310 toa predetermined location on the puck wheel 305. The puck wheel anchor313 serves as a minor rotation axis about which the primary pitchlinkage 310 rotates, thereby causing, in cooperation with the secondarypitch linkage 311, the associated puck 301 to change its position inrelation to the major axis of rotation, the puck transfer axis 306. Thepitch cam follower anchor 315 couples the primary pitch linkage 310 to apitch cam follower 329. Finally, the secondary linkage anchor 317couples the primary pitch linkage 310 to the secondary pitch linkage311. The secondary pitch linkage 311 preferably provides a substantiallylinear link coupled near one end to the primary pitch linkage 310 andnear the other end to the puck support 303.

To facilitate position modification of the pucks 301, the apparatus 1also includes a cam plate 320 situated about the transfer axis 306. Thecam plate 320 is preferably a stationary plate having at least tworaceways therein or thereon, a spin cam race 321 and a pitch cam race323. The spin cam race 321 is preferably provided around the outsideedge of the cam plate 320. To achieve desired spin of the pucks 301, aspin cam follower 325, which is preferably a roller bearing, is insliding or rolling communication with the spin cam race 321. A spinlinkage 327 couples the puck 301 to the spin cam follower 325. While thespin cam race 321 is depicted as providing a ninety degree puckrotation, positioning of the spin cam race 321 is generally determinedby the desired spin angle of the puck 301.

In addition to aiding puck spin, the cam plate 320 assists the pitchchange, or altered circumferential puck spacing. The pitch change isaccomplished by using the pitch cam follower 329, which is preferably aroller bearing, in sliding or rolling communication with the pitch camrace 323. Located preferably near a radial distal edge 308 of the puckwheel 305 is a pair of pitch rails 309, which allow controlledcircumferential displacement of the pucks 301. The pitch rails 309 arepreferably fastened to the puck wheel 305. The puck support 303 isprovided with rail guides 318, which are slidably disposed on the pairof pitch rails 309.

The pitch cam race 323 is formed, preferably on a face of the cam plate320, to effect a desired pitch change. Although different designs couldbe employed, where the pitch cam race 323 is situated further from thepuck transfer axis 306, the velocity of the puck 301 will be higher thanwhere the pitch cam race 323 is positioned nearer the transfer axis 306.As described in this preferred embodiment, the maximum pitch change,therefore, is generally determined by the shape of the pitch cam race323 and the combined length from the primary pitch linkage 310 of thepuck wheel anchor 313 to the secondary pitch linkage 311 end which iscoupled to the puck support 303.

The cutter 5 is best described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. Thecutter 5 preferably comprises an anvil roller 501 having an anvilsurface 503, and a knife wheel 505. The knife wheel 505 includes aplurality of knife blades 507 radially disposed about a knife wheel axis506. The knife wheel 505 preferably has fewer blades 507 than the numberof rotator pucks 301 provided on the transfer mechanism 3. The fewernumber of blades 507 provided allows a greater offset 508 between theknife wheel axis 506 and the puck transfer axis 306. The eccentricoffset 508 causes a virtual withdrawal of the knife blades 507 to allowmore space to achieve desired pitch change. Alternatively, an anvilwheel having a plurality of anvils could be substituted for the knifewheel 505 and a knife roller having a knife blade could be substitutedfor the anvil roller 501.

As seen in FIG. 4A, the apparatus 1 may also include a manifold 330 toallow fluid communication between a vacuum supply (not shown) and thepucks 301 at certain positions. The manifold 330 is preferably comprisedof a vacuum port 322, a stationary vacuum manifold 324 and a rotatingvacuum manifold 326. The vacuum port 322 preferably provides vacuumconnection point, which may be standard or custom. The port 322 providesa support structure and an aperture 332 to allow vacuum pressure to bedrawn through the port 322. The stationary vacuum manifold 324 isgenerally a fixed plate having at least one vacuum groove 334 formedtherethrough at a predetermined location. The vacuum groove 334 isstationary and in fluid communication with the vacuum port aperture 332.The rotating vacuum manifold 326 is generally a rotating platepreferably having a face in slidable relation to the puck supports 303.The rotating manifold 326 includes at least one aperture 336 to allow,when in fluid communication with the aperture 334 in the stationarymanifold 324, a vacuum to be drawn through the vacuum port 322, thestationary manifold 324, the rotating manifold 326, the puck support 303and the puck 301.

FIG. 4B provides an alternate stationary vacuum manifold 333. Thisembodiment 333 preferably includes a vacuum port 322 coupled to a vacuumsource (not shown) and interfaces to a rotating vacuum manifold, such asthe rotating vacuum manifold 326 in FIG. 4A or FIG. 19. The vacuum port322 preferably provides vacuum connection point, which may be standardor custom. The port 322 provides a support structure and an aperture 332to allow vacuum pressure to be drawn through the port 322. Thestationary vacuum manifold 333 is generally a fixed plate having atleast one, but preferably two vacuum grooves 334 formed at predeterminedlocations. The vacuum grooves 334 are in fluid communication with thevacuum port aperture 332. The manifold 333 also preferably includes anejection port 335 including an ejection aperture 337, which may beadapted to be coupled to a compressed air source (not shown). Theejection port 335 is preferably in fluid communication with an ejectiongroove 339, which may be an extension of one of the vacuum grooves 334,but separated therefrom by a vacuum plug 341. The vacuum plug 341 may beselectively placeable but is preferably stationarily held in one of saidvacuum grooves 334. In this way, vacuum may be drawn through the vacuumgrooves 334 and compressed air may be forced through the ejection port335 and into the ejection groove 339. As the rotating manifold 326rotates in a first direction 343, a pair of manifold apertures 336 mayeach encounter a vacuum groove 334, perhaps substantiallysimultaneously. However, it may be desirable to remove vacuum from oneof the apertures 336 and then force air through that same aperture 336in opposite direction to the vacuum to aid in the transfer of a pad 11to a receiving surface 25. For instance, it may be desirable to maintainvacuum on the trailing edge of a puck 301 while forcing a pad 11 off ofthe puck 301 leading edge with compressed air provided through theejection aperture 337 and ejection groove 339.

Although the terms “circumferential” and “rotation” are used to describethe transfer movement of the pucks 301, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to applications utilizing a circular motion.For instance, rather than be driven by a puck wheel 305 rotated by amotor 307, the pucks 301 may be coupled to a chain drive (not shown) orsomething similar. The travel path of the pucks 301 may then be definedby the shape of an employed cam plate 320 or by the path of anysupporting pitch rails 309 used.

All of the components of the apparatus 1 are either generally well knownin the art, such as the roller bearings preferred for the cam followers,or can readily be made of standard materials. For example, the knifeblades 507 and anvil roll 501 may be made of well known materials suchas common tool steels. The supporting and rotating structures, such asthe puck supports 303, linkages, wheels, etc., may be made of suitablealuminum. The pucks 301 are formed from any desirable material, but alightweight material is preferred, such as nylon.

The operation of the present apparatus 1 will be described next withreference to FIGS. 5-15, inclusive. Generally, the apparatus 1 receivesa continuous web 10, separates a section from the continuous web 10 toform an insert or pad 11, spins the pad 11 to a predetermined angle, andchanges the pitch between consecutive pads 11. While the operation ofthe apparatus 1 is described with reference to a single puck 301 a and asingle knife blade 507 a, it is to be understood that the operation ofthe remaining pucks 301 and knife blades 507 is at least substantiallysimilar. Furthermore, although the operation is described withreference, in FIGS. 8-15, to discrete puck positions P1-P8, it is to beunderstood that the operation is preferably generally continuous. Thediscrete positions aid in illustrating the operations being performed.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a puck velocity profile, as each puck 301 rotatesthrough various portions of its travel path. With reference also to FIG.1, the puck transfer mechanism 3 rotates about the puck transfer axis306 at a relatively constant velocity VS. When a puck 301 receivescontinuous web material 10, the puck 301 may be moving at asubstantially constant first velocity V1. A pad 11 is then cut from thecontinuous web 10. To create the pad 11, a first cut 402 is madeproximate the leading puck edge 302 and a second cut 404 is madeproximate the trailing puck edge 304. Just after a pad 11 is cut fromthe web material 10, the puck 301 may be accelerated 406 to prevent anycollision with the subsequent neighboring puck 301 and may bedecelerated 408 thereafter back to a substantially constant velocity410, which may be the first velocity V1. Sometime after the trailingedge cut 404 and prior to placement 416 of the pad 11 on a receivingsurface 25, the puck 301 spins to a desired angle and the velocity ofthe puck 301 may change 412 to achieve a desirable predeterminedcircumferential spacing. Upon or after reaching a substantially constant414 second velocity V2, the pad 11 is placed 416 on the receivingsurface 25. After pad placement 416, the puck 301 is decelerated 418 toa substantially constant 420 first velocity V1 and is spun back to aweb-receiving orientation. The process then begins anew.

During periods of acceleration and deceleration, the pucks 301 changeposition relative to the major axis of rotation, the puck transfer axis306. This can best be seen by reference to FIG. 7. A first referencepoint 430 represents a point on the shaft (314 on FIGS. 2 and 3)spinning about the puck transfer axis 306 at the relatively constantvelocity VS during operation of the device 1. A second reference point432 represents a position of a puck 301. While the shaft reference 430may be rotating about the puck transfer axis 306 at a constant velocity,the position of the puck reference 432 with respect to the shaft 314 maychange a desirable amount, such as an increase of ten degrees or more ofrotation during acceleration and a decrease of ten degrees or more ofrotation during deceleration. To illustrate, the shaft reference 430 isgenerally radially aligned with the puck reference 432 during times ofcutting 402,404. At the end 408 of the first acceleration, the puckreference 432 has changed position relative to the shaft reference 430by a first distance 434. At the end 410 of the first decelerationperiod, the references 430,432 are again aligned. Prior to pad placement416, the puck 301 is again accelerated, and at the end 414 of the secondacceleration the puck reference 432 has advanced beyond the shaftreference 430 by a second distance 436. The first distance 434 may bethe same as, or different than, the second distance 436. Finally, at theend 420 of the second deceleration period, both references 430,432 arealigned and ready for another revolution.

FIG. 8 shows a representative puck 301 a in a first position P1. In thefirst position P1, the puck 301 a receives continuous web material 10traveling in a first direction 21 at the first velocity. A vacuum isdrawn through the vacuum port 326, the stationary vacuum manifold 322,the rotating vacuum manifold 324, the puck support 303 and the puck 301a to support the material 10 on the puck 301 a surface. While receivingthe web 10, the puck 301 a is traveling about a puck wheel axis 306 in asecond direction 23, to which at this point P1 the first direction 21 ispreferably substantially tangential. The puck 301 a continues to move inthe second direction 23 into a second position P2.

FIG. 9 depicts the puck 301 a in the second position P2. In thisposition, the puck 301 a is at the leading edge cut time 402 of FIG. 6.Here, the cutter anvil surface 503 cooperates with a representativeknife blade 507 a to cut the web 10 proximate the leading edge 302 a ofthe puck 301 a. After receipt of the web 10 and the cut made near theleading edge 302 a, the puck 301 a proceeds to travel in the seconddirection 23 past the anvil roller 501 to a third position P3.

FIG. 10 shows the puck 301 a in the third position P3. In this positionP3, the puck 301 a is at the trailing edge cut time 404 of FIG. 6. Inthis position P3, the cutter anvil surface 503 cooperates with a knifeblade 507 to cut the web 10 proximate the trailing edge 304 a of thepuck 301 a to cut a section 11 a from the web 10. The section 11 a isheld to the puck 301 a by the vacuum, which was drawn previously. Afterthe cut made near the trailing edge 304 a, the puck 301 a proceeds totravel in the second direction 23 to a fourth position P4.

FIG. 11 shows the puck 301 a in the fourth position P4. As mentionedpreviously, it is often desirable to spin the cut section 11 a to somepredetermined angle prior to placement on a receiving surface 25. Here,the puck 301 a is shown while in the midst of a spin. While FIG. 11shows the puck 301 a rotating in the fourth position P4, the puck 301 amay rotate in a third direction 17 to a desired angle anytime after thetrailing edge cut made at the third position P3 and before placementonto the receiving surface 25.

Besides rotation and spin of the pucks 301, the apparatus 1 may alsochange the circumferential spacing of the pucks 301 a; thereby resultingin a placement pitch that is different from the pitch at which the webmaterial 10 was cut. The eccentric nature of the puck wheel axis and theknife wheel axis 506 allows the puck 301 a to drop away from the knifewheel 505, thereby providing greater angular movement ability than if aknife blade 507 remained between consecutive pucks 301. The ultimatecircumferential spacing of the pucks 301 at the receiving surface 25 isa function of a desired placement pitch 27 and the speed at which thereceiving surface 25 is traveling. In the preferred embodiment, thecircumferential spacing is achieved by a desired pitch cam slot 323configuration. Upon achieving desired circumferential spacing, the puck301 a arrives in a fifth position P5.

The puck 301 a is shown in the fifth position P5 in FIG. 12. In thisposition P5, the puck 301 a is at the middle of the placement time 416shown in FIG. 6. The puck 301 a has been situated at the correctplacement pitch or distance 27 with respect to the puck 301 thatpreceded it 301 a. At this pitch or distance 27, the section 11 a istransferred to the receiving surface 25. At the time of placement, thevacuum that was drawn through the puck support 303 and puck 301 a may beremoved from at least a portion of the puck 3031 a, thereby allowing asmooth transfer of the cut insert 11 a from the puck 301 a to thereceiving surface 25. The vacuum may remain active through thestationary vacuum manifold 322 and the rotating vacuum manifold 324 toassist in supporting subsequent sections 11 in place on laterneighboring pucks 301. After placing the section 11 a onto the receivingsurface 25, the puck 301 a continues in the second direction 23 to asixth position P6.

FIG. 13 shows the puck 301 a in the sixth position P6. The puck 301 a isshown as having released the cut section 11 a onto the receiving surface25. The puck 301 a continues to move in the second direction 23 to aseventh position.

FIG. 14 depicts the seventh position P7 of the puck 301 a. If the puck301 a and pad 11 a were rotated after cutting to some predeterminedangle prior to placement on the receiving surface 25, the puck 301 a mayneed to be adjusted to a web-receiving orientation. While FIG. 14 showsthe puck 301 a spinning in the seventh position P7, the puck 301 a mayspin in a fourth direction 19 anytime after the section 11 a has beenplaced on the receiving surface 25 and before the continuous web 10 isreceived. The fourth direction 19 may be the same as the third direction17 or different.

Finally, the puck 301 a is shown in the eighth position P8 in FIG. 15.The eighth position P8 is substantially similar to the first positionP1, except that the knife blade 507 a has now advanced a number ofpositions ahead of the puck 301 a. The number of positions advanced is afunction of the difference between the number of pucks 301 and thenumber of knife blades 507. In this operating example, there are ninepucks 301 and eight knife blades 507. Therefore, in the eighth positionP8, the knife blade 507 a has advanced one position ahead of itsposition in the first position P1.

FIG. 16 depicts an alternative embodiment 200 of a cam plate 320according to the present invention. The cam plate 200 preferablyincludes a spin cam race 321 and at least one pitch cam race 202, suchas that formed by a first edge 202 a and a second edge 202 b, which arepreferably concentric. This cam plate embodiment 200, however, morepreferably includes a second cam race 204, which may be nested withinthe first 202 and formed by a third edge 204 a and a fourth edge 204 b,which are preferably concentric. Thus, a single replacement cam plate200 may be used on different systems utilizing different static cam raceprofiles, thus reducing the number of spare parts that must bewarehoused. Additionally, as further described below, a single cam plate200 may provide added flexibility to a single machine if used inconjunction with pitch cam follower cartridges 600.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B show the use of the preferred cam plate 200installed in a system according to the present invention and used inconjunction with pitch cam follower cartridges 600. FIG. 17A shows pitchcam follower cartridges 600 having a first pitch cam follower 629 sizedand adapted to follow the first pitch cam race 202 in the cam plate 200.FIG. 17B shows pitch cam follower cartridges 600 having a second pitchcam follower 631 sized and adapted to follow the second pitch cam race204 in the cam plate 200. While it will generally be desirable toutilize the same pitch cam race 202 or 204 to control the pitch of allpucks 301 in a given system, the invention does not preclude the use ofthe first pitch cam follower 629 with a first puck 301 and the secondpitch cam follower 631 with a second puck on the same system.Furthermore, although only two pitch cam races 202,204 are disclosed, itis to be understood that further nesting of pitch cam races is possible,thus providing three or more nested cam profiles.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a preferred pitch cam followercartridge 600. The preferred pitch cam follower cartridge 600 has acartridge housing 602 having a first side 604 and a second side 606,each side having at least one but preferably a plurality of mountingflanges 608. The mounting flanges 608 on the first side 604 of a firstcartridge 600 may be interlaceable with the mounting flanges 608provided on the second side 606 of a second cartridge 600. Pivotallymounted to the cartridge housing 602 by a puck wheel anchor 313 is aprimary pitch cam linkage 310. The pitch cam linkage 310 supports apitch cam follower 329, such as the pitch cam follower 629 shown in FIG.17A, and provides a site for a secondary linkage anchor 317.

FIG. 18B is a perspective partial assembly view of a preferred pitch camfollower cartridge 600 being installed on a preferred puck wheel 305. Aplurality of fasteners 620 is provided to mechanically couple the pitchcam follower cartridges 600 to the puck wheel 305. The fasteners 620 maybe threaded fasteners adapted to extend through the mounting flanges 608on the cartridge housing 602 and cooperate with threaded apertures 622on the puck wheel 305 to support the cartridge 600 on the wheel 305.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a preferred method of rotating a vacuummanifold 326. A drive pulley 650 is driven by a vacuum manifold driveshaft 652 and an endless belt 654 is placed about the drive pulley 650and the vacuum manifold 326. An idler pulley 656 may be used to maintaindesired tension of the belt 654. In this way, the rotating vacuummanifold 326 may be placed at variable positions relative to the mainpuck wheel 305. Such independent drive, may be advantageous for certainapplications, such as offering size change flexibility.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a preferred puck support 303 accordingto the present invention. The puck support 303 comprises a puck supporthead 700 having a puck support surface 702. Extending through the pucksupport surface 702 is at least one, but preferably a plurality ofvacuum apertures 704 a-h. The puck support head 700 also preferablyincludes a bearing aperture 710 that extends through the head 700 atleast substantially perpendicular to the puck support surface 702.Further, the puck support 303 is provided with rail interface arms 712,which preferably receive the rail guides 318 to interface with the pitchrails 309. The vacuum apertures 704 a-h are in fluid communication witha vacuum chamber 338 that runs from the puck support head 700 through apuck support base 706 by way of vacuum pipes 708 a,708 b. While the pucksupport 303 may have a single vacuum chamber 338, the puck support 303is preferably provided with two vacuum chambers 338 a,338 b. In thisway, multiple apertures 704 a-d may communicate with a first vacuumchamber 338 a, which may be termed the leading vacuum chamber 338 a.Further, multiple apertures 704 e-h may communicate with a second vacuumchamber 338 b, which may be termed the trailing vacuum chamber 338 b. Inoperation, the cooperation of the puck support base 706 with therotating vacuum manifold 326 and the stationary vacuum manifold 324 maydesirably draw a vacuum through the leading vacuum chamber 338 a beforethe vacuum is drawn through the trailing vacuum chamber 338 b forreceiving the continuous web 10. Additionally, the vacuum may be drawnfor a longer period on the trailing vacuum chamber 338 b after thevacuum has been removed from the leading vacuum chamber 338 a whenplacing the cut pad 11 on the receiving surface 25.

FIG. 21 provides a first embodiment 800 of a preferred puck 301according to the present invention. The puck 800 has a puck body 802having a first web surface 804, a support surface 806 preferablyoppositely disposed from the web surface 804, and a bearing shaft 808depending from the support surface 806. The bearing shaft 808 is adaptedto be rotatably supported by the puck support 303, such as beingrotatably held in the bearing aperture 710 in the puck support head 700.The puck body 802 includes a vacuum chamber (not shown) within the body802. Communicating fluidly with the vacuum chamber are preferably aplurality of web vacuum holes 810 extending through the web surface 804and a plurality of support vacuum holes (not shown) extending throughthe support surface 806. The web vacuum holes 810 are provided about theweb surface 804, and may be evenly spaced and provided near theperimeter of the web surface 804. The support vacuum holes provide ameans for drawing a vacuum through the web vacuum holes 810 and thevacuum chamber in the puck body 802. Preferably, the support vacuumholes are mateable and adapted to cooperate with the vacuum apertures704 extending into the puck support 303. By imparting a force to thebearing shaft 808, the puck 301 may be spun from a web-receivingorientation 801 to a web-placement orientation 803. Such force may beapplied to the bearing shaft 808 by way of the spin linkage 327 that iscoupled to the spin cam follower 325, which is disposed at leastpartially in the spin cam race 321. Though any web-placement orientation803 angle may be desirable, the depicted angle 805 is ninety degreesfrom the web-receiving orientation 801.

FIG. 22A, FIG. 22B and FIG. 23 provide a second embodiment 850 of apreferred puck 301 according to the present invention. The puck 850 hasa puck body 852 having a first web surface 854, a support surface 856preferably oppositely disposed from the web surface 854, and a bearingshaft 858 depending from the support surface 856. The bearing shaft 858is adapted to be rotatably supported by the puck support 303, such asbeing rotatably held in the bearing aperture 710 in the puck supporthead 700. The puck body 852 includes a vacuum chamber (not shown) withinthe body 852. Communicating fluidly with the vacuum chamber arepreferably a plurality of web vacuum holes 860 extending through the websurface 854 and a plurality of support vacuum holes 862 extendingthrough the support surface 856. The web vacuum holes 860 are providedabout the first web surface 854, and may be evenly spaced and providednear at least a portion of the perimeter of the web surface 852. Thesupport vacuum holes 862 provide a means for drawing a vacuum throughthe web vacuum holes 860 and the vacuum chamber in the puck body 852.Preferably, the support vacuum holes 862 are mateable and adapted tocooperate with the vacuum apertures 704 extending into the puck support303. By imparting a force to the bearing shaft 858 or other portion ofthe puck 301, the puck 301 may be spun from a web-receiving orientation851 to a web-placement orientation 853. Such force may be applied to thebearing shaft 858 by way of the spin linkage 327 that is coupled to thespin cam follower 325, which is disposed at least partially in the spincam race 321. Though any web placement position 853 angle may bedesirable, the depicted angle 855 is ninety degrees from the webreceiving position 801.

In addition to the first web surface 854, this embodiment 850 preferablyincludes a pair of end web surfaces 864, which may be slidably disposedupon a pair of rails 866. To effect the slide of the end web surface864, in a generally up-and-out manner, a dish cam 868 may be providedbetween a desired puck support 303 and the puck 301. The dish cam 868preferably includes at least one cam groove 870 having a changingradius. Thus, when the puck 301 is in the web receiving position 851,the end web surfaces 864 are in a first position, preferably nearer thepuck body 852. As the puck 301 spins to the web placement position 853,an end web cam follower 872 that is placed in the cam groove 870 causesthe end web surface 864 to slide along the rails 866 to a secondposition, preferably further from the puck body 852. The end websurfaces 864 are also preferably provided with a plurality of web vacuumholes 860 in fluid communication with an end web vacuum chamber 874. Theend web vacuum chamber 274 is preferably in fluid communication with thevacuum chamber (not shown) in the puck body 852. Such fluidcommunication between the end web vacuum chamber 274 and puck body 852vacuum chamber may be provided by one or more vacuum bellows 876.

FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 depict a second embodiment 2 of an apparatusaccording to the present invention. Generally, in this embodiment 2, thepitch cam arrangement of the first embodiment has been replaced by aplurality of servo drives 880, each of which may control the relativecircumferential movement of a puck 301 relative to the main puck wheel305, to which the servo drives 880 are preferably mounted. The servodrives 880 preferably have a rotatable shaft 882 that may be coupled tothe primary pitch linkage 310 to enable such control. The servo drives880 preferably have a first electrical terminal 884 and a secondelectrical terminal 886, wherein the first electrical terminal 884 of afirst servo drive 880 is electrically coupled to the second electricalterminal 886 of a second servo drive 880 and the second electricalterminal 886 of the first servo drive 880 is electrically coupled to thefirst electrical terminal of a third servo drive 880. Thus, theelectrical connections may be provided by a plurality of electricalwires 888 in a daisy chain format. The servo drives 880 are preferablycontrolled by and communicatively coupled to a servo drive controller(not shown). Such communicative coupling may be provided by a slip ring890 and a plurality of electrical wires (not shown). An example of servodrives 880 and a servo drive controller may be found in the RexrothIndraDrive® Mi Drive System provided by Bosch Rexroth Corporation ofHoffman Estates, Ill.

FIG. 26, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 provide a second preferred velocity profileand associated puck positioning of an apparatus according to the presentinvention. This profile may be referred to as an accel-to-place profile.With reference also to FIG. 1, the puck transfer mechanism 3 rotatesabout the puck transfer axis 306 at a relatively constant systemvelocity VS. When a puck 301 receives continuous web material 10, thepuck 301 is moving at a first velocity, which may be the system velocityVS. A pad 11 is then cut from the continuous web 10. To create the pad11, a first cut 902 is made proximate the leading puck edge 302 and asecond cut 904 is made proximate the trailing puck edge 304. Just aftera pad 11 is cut from the web material 10, the puck 301 may beaccelerated 906 to prevent any collision with the subsequent neighboringpuck 301 and may be decelerated 908 thereafter. Sometime after thetrailing edge cut 904 and prior to placement 912 of the pad 11 on areceiving surface 25, the puck 301 spins to a desired angle and thevelocity of the puck 301 may change 910 to achieve a desirablepredetermined spacing. Upon or after reaching a velocity or relativespacing, the pad 11 is placed 912 on the receiving surface 25. After padplacement 912, the puck 301 may be decelerated and then accelerated 914in preparation for the next rotation. The process then begins anew.

During periods of acceleration and deceleration, the pucks 301 changeposition relative to the major axis of rotation, the puck transfer axis306. This can best be seen by reference to FIG. 28. A first referencepoint 430 represents a point on the shaft (314 on FIGS. 2 and 3)spinning about the puck transfer axis 306 at the relatively constantvelocity VS during operation of the device 1. A second reference point432 represents a position of a puck 301. While the shaft reference 430may be rotating about the puck transfer axis 306 at a relativelyconstant velocity, the position of the puck reference 432 with respectto the shaft 314 may change a desirable amount, such as an increase often degrees or more of rotation during acceleration and a decrease often degrees or more of rotation during deceleration. To illustrate, theshaft reference 430 is generally radially aligned with the puckreference 432 during times of cutting 902,904. At the end 908 of thefirst acceleration, the puck reference 432 has changed position relativeto the shaft reference 430 by a first distance 924. At the end 910 ofthe first deceleration period, the puck reference 432 has changedposition relative to the shaft reference 430 by a second distance 926.Prior to pad placement 912, the puck 301 is again accelerated, and atthe end of the second acceleration the puck reference 432 has advancedbeyond the shaft reference 430 by a third distance 928. At the end 914of the second deceleration period, the puck reference 432 has changedposition relative to the shaft reference 430 by a fourth distance 929.The first distance 924, second distance 926, third distance 928 andfourth distance 929 may be the same or different. By the time it isready for the same puck 301 to proceed through the process again,however, both references 430,432 are aligned and ready for anotherrevolution.

FIG. 29, FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 provide a third preferred velocity profileand associated puck positioning of an apparatus according to the presentinvention. This profile may be referred to as a decel-to-place profile.With reference also to FIG. 1, the puck transfer mechanism 3 rotatesabout the puck transfer axis 306 at a relatively constant systemvelocity VS. When a puck 301 receives continuous web material 10, thepuck 301 is moving at a first velocity, which may be the system velocityVS. A pad 11 is then cut from the continuous web 10. To create the pad11, a first cut 932 is made proximate the leading puck edge 302 and asecond cut 934 is made proximate the trailing puck edge 304. Just aftera pad 11 is cut from the web material 10, the puck 301 may beaccelerated 936 to prevent any collision with the subsequent neighboringpuck 301 and may be decelerated 408 thereafter. Sometime after thetrailing edge cut 934 and prior to placement 946 of the pad 11 on areceiving surface 25, the puck 301 spins to a desired angle and thevelocity of the puck 301 may change 944 to achieve a desirablepredetermined spacing. Upon or after reaching a velocity or relativespacing, the pad 11 is placed 946 on the receiving surface 25. After padplacement 946, the puck 301 may be accelerated 948 and then decelerated950 in preparation for the next rotation. The process then begins anew.

During periods of acceleration and deceleration, the pucks 301 changeposition relative to the major axis of rotation, the puck transfer axis306. This can best be seen by reference to FIG. 31. A first referencepoint 430 represents a point on the shaft (314 on FIGS. 2 and 3)spinning about the puck transfer axis 306 at the relatively constantvelocity VS during operation of the device 1. A second reference point432 represents a position of a puck 301. While the shaft reference 430may be rotating about the puck transfer axis 306 at a relativelyconstant velocity, the position of the puck reference 432 with respectto the shaft 314 may change a desirable amount, such as an increase often degrees or more of rotation during acceleration and a decrease often degrees or more of rotation during deceleration. To illustrate, theshaft reference 430 is generally radially aligned with the puckreference 432 during times of cutting 932,934. At the end 940 of a firstacceleration, the puck reference 432 has changed position relative tothe shaft reference 430 by a first distance 964. At the end 410 of thefirst deceleration period, the puck reference 432 has changed positionrelative to the shaft reference 430 by a second distance 436. Prior topad placement 946, the puck 301 may be decelerated, and at the end ofthe second acceleration the puck reference 432 has advanced beyond theshaft reference 430 by a third distance 438. At the end 414 of thesecond deceleration period, the puck reference 432 has changed positionrelative to the shaft reference 430 by a fourth distance 436. The firstdistance 434, second distance 436, third distance 438 and fourthdistance 439 may be the same or different. By the time it is ready forthe same puck 301 to proceed through the process again, both references430,432 are aligned and ready for another revolution.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, the details may be changed without departing from theinvention, which is defined by the claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for processing a continuous web, said methodcomprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising: a transfermechanism rotating at a first constant speed about a first axis, saidtransfer mechanism including a first plurality of web surfaces; and acutter including a wheel comprising a second plurality of cuttingsurfaces, wherein said wheel is rotating about a second axis at a secondconstant speed; receiving a continuous web onto a first web surface ofsaid first plurality of web surfaces of said transfer mechanism; usingone of said cutting surfaces, cutting a discrete section from saidcontinuous web, thereby forming a pad, wherein said pad is supported bysaid first web surface of said transfer mechanism; transporting said padon said first web surface towards a receiving surface through a transferpath; and changing the speed of said first web surface along saidtransfer path, wherein said wheel is positioned substantially withinsaid transfer path, and said second plurality of cutting surfaces isless in number than said first plurality of web surfaces.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, said receiving step comprising drawing a vacuumthrough said first web surface.
 3. A method according to claim 1, saidcutting step comprising cutting said continuous web at a cutting nipformed by a first cutter component situated at least substantiallywithin said transfer path cooperating with a second cutter componentsituated at least substantially outside of said transfer path.
 4. Amethod according to claim 1, said transporting step including the stepof spinning said first surface to a predetermined angle.
 5. A methodaccording to claim 4, said spinning step comprising the step ofimparting rotational force to a bearing shaft coupled to said firstsurface.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transfer path iscircular.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first axis isparallel to said second axis.
 8. A method according to claim 1, whereinsaid first axis is positioned between said second axis and saidreceiving surface.
 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the secondplurality equals the first plurality minus one.